Slipknot

alternative rock band

Chart-topping rock band Slipknot is one of the prominent examples of alternative heavy metal. Exploding on the scene with a horror-movie image complete with nuclear-reactor jumpsuits, bizarre face-masks, and referring to themselves by number (0–8) rather than name, they blended turntable scratching, sampling, and exotic percussion with the typical heavy metal formula of guitar, bass, and drums. Forming in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1995, they self-recorded and -released their debut CD, Mate. Kill. Feed. Repeat, which immediately drew the attention of major labels. After signing with Roadrunner Records, they recorded Slipknot in 1999, which became the first platinum record in the small label's history and reached No. 1 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart. A performance at 1999 Ozzfest cemented the band's newfound popularity. Their follow-up CD, Iowa, was released in late 2001.